Question 1: How do you envision IMB, NAMB, and local churches working together to reach unreached people groups in the States (college students, refugees, etc)?

Reply: Let me begin by expressing how excited I am about the direction both of the IMB and NAMB. The presidents of both are men for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration. Tom Elliff is a father in the ministry to me and a hero in the faith. Kevin Ezell was my pastor for 8 years and one of my closest friends. Both men ooze integrity and vision for reaching the nations with the gospel. They are passionate for implementing the GCR and are already taking major steps to see this happen.

With that said I believe you will see great synergy between the IMB, NAMB and local churches that have a passion to reach the unreached people groups that the Lord has brought to our nation. I believe you will see the IMB providing, not personnel, but training. They will let the personnel needs be met by NAMB and the local church. I think you can expect them to provide training through missionaries who are home on sabbatical who have particular expertise with specific people groups. I also think you can look for NAMB to provide encouragement, training and even funding as we seek to reach out and share the gospel with those who have yet to hear the name of Jesus in us.

I believe college campuses in particular are one of the greatest mission fields available to us today. We still have free access to walk on these campuses and share the good news of King Jesus. That we don’t do it more passionately and pro-actively than we do is to our shame. However, I sense a growing passion for this very thing. I know that there are a number of students at Southeastern, who at their own initiative, regularly go to the campuses seeking out internationals to build relationships for the purpose of sharing the gospel. I believe we must become intentional in doing this, and we have a golden opportunity right now.